News and Notes from AMD, 4/28/17

Early bird registration for the 4th Global Methodist Missions Conference of the Deaf ends soon! $325 for four days, three nights and meals! Life changing event! Go to llumc.org/4gmd today!

Civil rights, ADA, and the effects of recent and proposed changes:
http://progressive.org/dispatches/how-to-civil-rights-compliance-with-a-27-year-grace-period/

New efforts at healthcare "reform"
http://fvindiana.blogspot.com/2017/04/new-efforts-to-cut-medicaid-and-repeal.html

A book that may interest some of our members:
https://networks.h-net.org/node/4189/reviews/175984/buckingham-newman-writing-disability-critical-history

How language often isolates people with disabilities:
https://www.thinkinclusive.us/the-real-problem-with-disability-is-how-we-think-about-it/

We have long encouraged thought about the role of God in design:
https://www.hearinglikeme.com/the-hottest-hearing-aid-trend-is-a-perfect-fit-for-your-ear/

This effort is also a reminder that the healing stories of the gospels include community restoration and inclusion:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/878568

Pastors need care, too:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/04/21/who-pastors-the-pastor-even-ministers-suffer-from-suicidal-thoughts/?utm_term=.bd22d7059bff

GBCS on healthcare "reform":
Congress was unable to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) because most of them believed it would harm people they represent.

The AHCA would leave 24 million people without health coverage, end Medicaid expansion, and cut Medicaid by $840 billion over 10 years hurting the most vulnerable among us.

The new changes worsen the bill by giving states the ability to eliminate key protections for people with pre-existing conditions, requirements to cover essential healthcare (e.g. pregnancy visits), and allow insurance companies to set lifetime caps and annual limits. A lifetime cap, for example, could limit services people who are recovering from addiction — a journey that is hard fought requiring consistent support.

As United Methodists, we are seeking improvements to current healthcare laws that increase access to affordable, quality healthcare for all. This legislation is moving in the wrong direction.

Call your Representative TODAY and urge them to Vote No.
Guide: https://umc-gbcs.org/content/articles/Health_Care_Talking_Points__Call_instructions.pdf

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